Florida Gets $42M in Refunds Under New Health Law

MIAMI (AP) -- Federal health officials say nearly 1 million Floridians who bought insurance under the Affordable Care Act will receive roughly $42 million in refunds thanks to a provision in the law.

The law requires insurers to spend at least 80 percent of premium dollars on patient care. If insurers spend an excessive amount on profits and red tape, they must refund consumers or employers.

Health and Human Services officials said Thursday that Florida consumers could receive a refund check or a reimbursement to the credit card they used to pay their insurance premium. The savings averages about $65 a family.

Among the insurers that feds say owe refunds in the individual and group markets are Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Inc., which owes $10.1 million. Golden Rule Insurance Company owes $4 million and Health Options, Inc. owes $9 million.

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